Driving in Ireland vs Japan: Key Differences Explained
Discover the unique road regulations and practices in Ireland and Japan, two countries with distinct driving cultures. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol restrictions, this comparison highlights essential contrasts that can ensure your journey remains safe and enjoyable. Stay informed and navigate confidently in these diverse environments!
Lanes
| Ireland | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No, overtake on the right. | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
japan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
japan:
No
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
japan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ireland:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
ireland:
50 km/h
japan:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
120 km/h
japan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ireland:
100 km/h
japan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
90 km/h
japan:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ireland:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Ireland | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to turn green. | Not used in Japan |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
japan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
japan:
Not used in Japan
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
japan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
japan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
japan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ireland | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Ireland | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Mandatory; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
japan:
Displayed on license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
japan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
japan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ireland | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Generally used sparingly |
Flashing Lights: Usage
ireland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
japan:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ireland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
japan:
Generally used sparingly
Alcohol
| Ireland | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Prohibited; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Random breath testing is common. | Common; checkpoints may be set up |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
ireland:
0.05%
japan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ireland:
0.02%
japan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
Enforcement: Fines
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Emergency Services
| Ireland | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Check with your insurance provider or JAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
japan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
japan:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
japan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
japan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license | Varies; substantial fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €60 fine and two penalty points | Fines; enforceable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | Severe fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | Fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Rare; fines usually paid later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
ireland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
japan:
Fines; enforceable
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
japan:
Fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days